Drug user caught growing cannabis avoids jail

Police found 13 plants under cultivation with a hydroponic and ventilation system at the home of James Blunt, Stafford Crown Court heard.

See also: Wolverhampton pensioner grew £34k of cannabis.

Miss Jabeen Akhtar, prosecuting, said that had the plants been brought to harvest the cannabis they could have been sold on the streets for up to £3,690.

It was discovered after police stopped a car driven by Blunt on the A449 near the Dudley Arms pub in September last year.

Officers noted a strong smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle and a passenger in the car had two bags of cannabis, the total street value put at £3,240.

Both occupants were arrested and later that evening Blunt's house in Sedgley Road was searched.

Blunt, aged 25, now of Lamb Crescent, Wombourne admitted producing cannabis and possessing drugs with intent to supply.

Blunt said he allowed the passenger to carry the cannabis around in his car and for that service was to receive some of the drug.

He said he was unaware of the quantity, got no financial reward and denied being a street dealer.

See also: Dealer who hid drugs in a Kinder Egg jailed for three years.

Stafford Crown Court heard that Blunt had been a cannabis user since the age of 13.

Mr Stephen Rudge, defending, said it was now up to his client to decide whether to get his life back on track.

Judge Paul Glenn told him: "You are not naive. There were two large carrier bags full of cannabis vegetation and you, as a heavy user, would know the valuation."

He was given a 10 month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and a curfew for three months.

Last week two neighbours who operated a £70k drugs factory were jailed.